Fabulous Museum Restaurants in Venice, Milan and Rome

Palazzo Venier dei Leoni – Sixth. Dorsoduro 701

The Venetian home of one of the most enlightened American heiresses, now the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is in my opinion one of the best options. It has been my prime destination every time I visit Venice, and has a quiet elegant atmosphere.  This location, which also serves as a museum, features incredible works by artists like Kandinsky, Pollock, Picasso, Mondrian, and Magritte. Moreover, it boasts a stunning terrace that overlooks the Grand Canal. The café is nestled in a garden and includes two small rooms and a veranda. I recommend choosing the veranda, as it is filled with natural light and has a relaxed atmosphere. The kitchen offers dishes prepared by the nearby Ai Gondolieri restaurant. While the menu features salads, appetizers, first courses, and second courses that aren't strictly representative of Venetian cuisine—an understandable choice considering the clientele—they are still of good quality. And afterwards for a stroll in the garden.

Campo San Samuele 3231 – Sest. San Marco

The last large palace on the Grand Canal was built shortly before the fall of the Republic of Venice. After changing ownership several times, it now belongs to François Pinault, a French luxury entrepreneur and is a modern Art museum - the Pinault Collection. The café space, which is essential and minimal in design, is managed by Rosa Salva, a pastry shop and catering service recognized among the best in Venice, according to Dissapore. It’s a reliable choice. The menu features a high standard of offerings, including pasta, risotto, single dishes, meat or fish main courses, and various side dishes. 

Campo Santa Maria Formosa 5252 – Sest. Castle

The palace-museum - Querini Stampalia Foundation

is one of the most elegant in Venice and also features a well-stocked library. Architecture enthusiasts will appreciate the work of Carlo Scarpa, who oversaw the restoration. During your visit, you might see many foreign students sitting in the garden, lost in thought as they observe the intricate details. The café, designed by Mario Botta, includes two interior rooms and opens directly onto the garden. The Café faces the internal garden, one of the most charming in Venice, designed by Carlo Scarpa in the early 1960s. Unusual and welcoming, it is perfect for a coffee break, an aperitif or a work lunch. The cuisine there is prepared by Peace’n’Spice restaurant which offers a wide choice a dishes that originate from the encounter between Italy and the Middle East. The menu is offering sandwiches, salads, and cicchetti. Given that most patrons are university students, you can sense the nostalgia for life away from home, often reflected in the flavors between the tomato slices of their sandwiches.

Vòce – Aimo e Nadia is located within the Museum of the Galleries of Italy, in Piazza della Scala. This bistro is associated with the renowned Michelin-starred restaurant Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, which was established in 1962 by the eponymous couple. The restaurant features talented chefs Alessandro Negrini and Fabio Pisani in the kitchen. At Vòce, the kitchen is led by the young Lorenzo Pesci from the Marche region, who previously trained under Carlo Cracco. Pesci crafts a menu that highlights the excellence of Italian cuisine. Notable dishes include Spaghettoni made with Gerardo di Nola pasta, a sauce of crustaceans, and marinated 'purple' prawns with marjoram, as well as Risotto made with Gran Riserva Carnaroli rice, Jerusalem artichoke, Tonde Gentile hazelnut, and black orange. Dining at Vòce offers the option of creating tasting menus, allowing guests to select from the menu: 2 courses for €95, 3 courses for €130, and 4 courses for €160. In addition to its dining options, Vòce – Aimo e Nadia also serves as an elegant café for breakfast or snacks, features an artisanal ice cream shop, and includes a pantry offering a selection of gourmet products for sale.

Palazzo Massimo houses the National Roman Museum, featuring a collection of Roman statues, mosaics, and even an entire frescoed room from the Roman era. Among these is an imaginary garden that once adorned the triclinium, or dining room, of Livia's Villa in Prima Porta. Livia Drusilla, the third and most significant wife of Emperor Augustus, is the namesake for the restaurant on the palace's first floor.  Livia Restaurant at Palazzo Massimo launched in early April 2022 in a brand new restaurant space on the first floor of the National Roman Museum. Representing a cosy spot in the winter, it is also a great choice for dining in summer, due to its gorgeous outdoor terrace with views across Piazza Republica. This restaurant complements the offerings of the Caffetteria Bakery Massimo, which can be accessed from the ground floor. The new catering project is managed by the Camst Group, a leading company in catering services in Italy and abroad, and helmed by Roman chef Fulvio Penta, born in 1983. Penta is known for his previous work at the Hotel De Russie and the Michelin-starred restaurant Antonello Colonna in Labico. A beautiful panoramic terrace enhances the experience, offering a unique spot in Rome to enjoy an aperitif at the museum, complete with cocktails, music, and art.

The Caffè delle Arti, situated within the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, provides a lovely setting for a relaxing moment, whether for breakfast, lunch, or an aperitif. The enchanting outdoor garden, located directly in front of Villa Borghese, enhances the experience. Additionally, the café features a diverse selection of wines, particularly natural varieties.